I was looking around at HD tonight and noticed that the Ridgid BS1400 was clearanced down to $184 from (I think) $369. I read some reviews and it seems like they have some problems with vibration and wheels being out of round. With a 10% off coupon it’s roughly $176 out the door, which is a pretty sweet deal for a new bandsaw w/ lifetime warranty, but I passed on it because of some of the bad reviews I read, but thought I’d solicit some opinions. I’m thinking I should hold out for a used Grizzly or Jet on craigslist, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t passing up a good deal. Thought?

EDIT: Allow me to elaborate. All the 14” bandsaws are virtually identical. They all can have the same kinds of problems, but all are easily fixable if you spend the time learning how to adjust and tune them. All can take a riser block to increase resaw capacity to 12”.

Only thing I would say is if you plan on doing a LOT of resawing, try to get at least a 1HP saw (if not 1.5). Otherwise, this clearance price is a steal.

-- Optimists are usually disappointed. Pessimists are either right or pleasantly surprised. I tend to be a disappointed pessimist.

I purchased the last one of those at my local HD last month. I too was worried about the reviews of bad vibes and out of round wheels. But as someone else pointed out, if you look at those reviews, they are a couple of years old. Plus, I figured I would just return it if I found any serious problems.

I am totally happy with it. The only problem I found “out of the box” was the kinked up drive belt…but that has “relaxed” since I put it together. “They” say that a linked drive belt makes it even smoother. Down the road, I may go to that. But at present, it’s not a problem.

The stand COULD be a little stiffer. The top that the saw sits on does flex a little. But that isn’t a problem, at least for me. I get a little vibration when I first power it up, but it immediately smoothes out once it is up to speed.

If I had it to do over, I would buy it again!! Especially at that price!!! (I was saving for the $400 Delta.)

(Disclaimer…my other band saw is a 10 inch bench top Hitachi. Smooth as glass, but limited in what it could do, blade size wise. But I’m still happy I “upgraded”. I’m just saying this to say that I DON’T have a lot of experience with band saws. They could both be crap and I just don’t have anything else to compare them with. I just want to stress that I’m not a band saw expert! Your mileage may vary!!! LOL)

I too have this saw, had read all the reviews before buying it. I have not had a single problem with it. Could it use a bit more Horse Power, well yes. But for the money I paid retail (about $325.00) it was a good deal, works as well as a buddies Delta. The deal you have found is GREAT! I worry about HD, they seem to be reducing the amount of power tools & accessories that they sell here locally.

Flyfisherbob2000…interesting. Now that you mention it, my local HD seems to be reducing the amount of RIDGID tools they are selling. I stopped in this afternoon, looking for a Dremel router bit. The Ridgid BS1400 has been replaced by a Ryobi 10” bandsaw. The Ridgid planer has been replaced by a Ryobi and Dewalt planer. The Ridgid jointer is gone. There was no Ridgid table saw for sale, granite top or steel top. The only Ridgid tool left in that aise was a spindle sander. (I didn’t go down the mitre saw row…I don’t know what is left there.)

I also have the BS14000 and love it. A added a link belt and that did wonders for the vibration. Some day I’ll get around to adding some plywood on top of the stand to help stabilize it more. I hope HD isn’t dropping Ridgid, I also have their table saw, 13” planer, and oscillating drum/belt sander and they are all solid performers and good quality, at a good price. Vrtigo1, I would jump on that price if I had the opportunity!

I got mine back on November last year for the full retail price $369….. if it were on sale for that price on my local HD I will get another one in a hearth beat…!!! maybe its just me but mine came up perfectly out of the box, I haven’t fix anything or do anything to it besides building a mobile base for it. I’m a Ridgid tool fan, and the LSA its a huge plus….last Friday I got my LAS numbers for my Planer, BS and TS (R4330,BS14000 & R4511). Now I know I’m protected. :) Go for it!!

-- The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me.

Thanks for the feedback. My local HD had 3 of them in stock, so I’ll probably head down there tomorrow and pick one up. As someone said, I guess worst case I can return it if I find any problems I can’t fix and/or deal with.